I've never considered myself a "super fan" of anything. Even with my TARDIS and LEGO collections, I'm an average fan of the television show Doctor Who and I don't keep the boxes that the LEGO come in (considered blasphemy by hardcore builders). But two years ago, I discovered a certain author, binge-read the majority of … Continue reading Con Report: Indies Invade Philly 2023
Con Report: Confluence 2023
According to my records, I had not attended Confluence in 5 whole years! (Even though they have been kind enough to repeatedly invite me back.) This year, the stars aligned, and I finally was able to make the trip out to Pittsburg for this fantastic event. Friday Since I didn't have anything on my schedule … Continue reading Con Report: Confluence 2023
Con Report: StokerCon 2023
Funny story: I don't actually read horror. I can do hauntings and serial killers and a little bit of cosmic dread, but overall, being uncomfortable isn't relaxing for me. I also don't write horror (though this might eventually change since I actually come up with some pretty decent ideas). However, I do publish with a … Continue reading Con Report: StokerCon 2023
Con Report: Farpoint 2023
Last weekend I attended Farpoint, a pop culture convention local to the Baltimore area, as a panelist and presenter on the writing and fandom tracks! As I explained to a handful of authors that I met for the first time during the event, I don't generally attend conventions for the primary purpose of selling books. … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2023
Con Report: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention 2022
Sorry for the delay with this post -- the spouse and I got home very late Sunday night, and the day job is trying to eat me alive this week. But I had an amazing time at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention 2022, and I'm happy to share some memories with you. Thursday We left … Continue reading Con Report: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention 2022
Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2022
I love all the conferences and conventions that I attend throughout the year (because why else would I spend the money on them), but my absolute favorite is In Your Write Mind. This writing workshop is hosted by the alumni of my creative writing graduate program, and is basically an excuse for us to go … Continue reading Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2022
Con Report: Balticon 56
Last weekend, I attended my sixth Balticon as a panelist. In some ways, this year was even stranger than the completely virtual conventions of the past 2 years in that programming was a mix of in-person events at the usual hotel in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and virtual panels open to participants worldwide. Due to a … Continue reading Con Report: Balticon 56
Con Report: Farpoint 2022
Last weekend, the TARDIS (my electric car) finally fulfilled the mandate for which it was originally purchased -- it drove me to a convention! Said convention was only 30 minutes away from my house, so I commuted rather than staying at the hotel, but it was absolutely awesome to attend my first in-person con in … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2022
Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2021
I'll admit it -- I'm not cut out for the virtual convention life. I had a conversation with a friend earlier this week and brought up how late I was in writing this con report, and she pointed out that my experience with this year's In Your Write Mind 2021 was even more skewed than … Continue reading Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2021
Con Report: Balticon 55
For the second year in a row, the Baltimore Science Fiction Society hosted their annual convention, Balticon, as a virtual, online event. The perk to this is enjoying panels from the comfort of my own home; the drawback is the lack of social connection I generally enjoy at in-person events. The organizers did an amazing … Continue reading Con Report: Balticon 55
Con Report: Farpoint 2021
Let's face it -- for the weird sorts of introvert like me, who can put that on hold for a certain amount of time to people it up for two or three days at a convention and then hide at home for a week afterward, a virtual event will never be the same. As much … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2021
Con Report: Capclave 2020
The world we live in continues to be absolutely bonkers, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a lovely Saturday of conversing with fellow authors about world-building and the fantasy genre as part of Capclave 2020. Alas, both panels were via Zoom from the comfort of my home office, so I'm still in hardcore withdrawal … Continue reading Con Report: Capclave 2020
Con Report: Virtual Balticon 54
Last weekend, I did my hair, put on clothing that had nothing to do with working out, and attended (virtual) Balticon 54! I participated in four excellent and informative panels from the comfort of my own office with appropriate feline supervision. Perks to a virtual convention: Sleeping in my own bed, eating decent meals, not … Continue reading Con Report: Virtual Balticon 54
Con Report: Farpoint 2020
I attended my third year at Farpoint in Baltimore, Maryland, this past weekend and had an absolute blast spending time with friends and being a panelist on some of my favorite topics. I wish I'd been able to hang out more in the evening with people, but I commuted from home this year and had … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2020
Con Report: Starbase Indy 2019
Looking for the full slide set for my "Alternate History: Creating Stories by Changing the Past" presentation? See below! Usually I try to have my convention reports posted on the Wednesday after the con, but this month I had the crazy idea that I could do two events in a row. So because I traveled … Continue reading Con Report: Starbase Indy 2019
Con Report: Capclave 2019
Note: If you are here to find a copy of my alternate history presentation, see below! I spent a lovely weekend in Rockville, Maryland, as part of Capclave 2019! Highlights included being on panels with both guests of honor (Robert Sawyer and Martha Wells) and giving my alternate history presentation to a small but participatory … Continue reading Con Report: Capclave 2019
Con Report: FanX Salt Lake City 2019
Looking for my alternate history presentation to download? Scroll down! As has become annual tradition, the spouse and I celebrated our anniversary by traveling to FanX Salt Lake City. We had a blast this year, both participating in and attending panels, and my alternate history presentation made a successful reprisal. We flew to Utah last … Continue reading Con Report: FanX Salt Lake City 2019
Con Report: Pulpfest 2019
Pulpfest, held outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is not a convention I would have attended normally, but my publisher held an event there and I wouldn't have missed that for the world. Raw Dog Screaming Press celebrated their sixteenth anniversary with readings from many of their authors, and I had a blast spending time with old … Continue reading Con Report: Pulpfest 2019
Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2019
Last weekend, I spent four wonderful days at one of my favorite places on Earth. In Your Write Mind is a writing workshop hosted by alumni of the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction graduate program, of which I am part. It's the time of year when I recharge my writing batteries by surrounding myself … Continue reading Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2019
Con Report: Balticon 53
I had another fantastic weekend at my "local" convention, Balticon, over Memorial Day weekend! This convention was my first time manning a table in the dealer room for the entire event, which was both exhausting and fun, and definitely offered a different perspective on the convention experience. Luckily, I had friend and author Cara McKinnon … Continue reading Con Report: Balticon 53